Chinese Yuan Renminbi Exchange RateTestimonials
Shari is a member of Boulder-Lhasa Sister City Project. Click here to learn about BLSCP.
"All of us are drawn to different parts of the world. As a traveler for so many years, I was constantly searching, searching - for that magical journey. Who could have known that my search would finally end in a land that is ever changing - Tibet."
Shari,
USA
"Good afternoon .
My name is Linn Weeks. I have been a Travel Director most of the past twenty-five years for Maritz Travel Company based in St. Louis , MO, USA, IATAN #26752401. I reside in Costa Rica half the year, then I am back in the U.S. to summer in East Gull Lake, Minnesota.
I am often asked where my favorite country to travel is - and why. I am called on multiple occasions to assist others to set up their own travel plans.
Fortunately I have some amazing experience in certain areas such as Africa, New Zealand, Europe, Central America, India, Bhutan and Tibet.
My appreciation and knowledge of Tibet is all due to one person and I would like to acknowledge him in a letter that you can pass on to your future clients, just as I do mine.
Lobsang Tsultirm, a native born, English speaking Tibetan, lives with his family in Llhasa, Tibet. He is a gentle spoken, caring, articulate, educated and very knowledgeable guide for his country. How fortunate I was to have spent two weeks in his company as my clients and I traveled around Tibet. It was my first visit, and I relied greatly on him and his expertise. He never disappointed me. Not only did he care for our logistic needs and our safety, he also taught us so much about the culture of Tibet and China.
Without Lobsong, our trip to Tibet would have been empty. We feel fortunate to have experienced the country through his eyes.
Thank you to Lobsang Tsultrim for making our journey special indeed. "
Linn Weeks,
Executive Travel Director
"I was fortunate to take a girls trip to China, Tibet and Nepal. Lobsang was our guide for the duration of our time in Tibet, picking us up at the train station in Lhasa and welcoming us with Khata, the traditional white welcoming scarves . From then on I knew the experience would be wonderful and it totally exceeded my already high expectations largely because of the kindness and attention of Lobsang. He attended to all our needs from checking us in to our hotels and locating good places to eat to touring us around and explaining all the amazing sites in Tibet. He was so knowledgeable and just easy going and adaptable (as 4 girls will tend to change their minds on occassion!) and flexed with our plans. He could not have been nicer and more attentive to our wants and needs and I can highly recommend using him in any of your travels. I would use him in a minute were I ever lucky enough to return. He picked us up in Lhasa, guided us through Gyantse, Shigatse, Tingri, Mt. Everest Base Camp and Nyalan where we crossed into Nepal. He is reliable, adaptable, speaks great English, very knowledgeable of the sites and fun to be around. He was excellent! Actually, better than excellent. You would be fortunate to have him as your guide."
- Pam St. Claire
Texas, USA
" I am normally not one to write reviews, but in this case I want to make an exception. I am 25-years-old and about a year ago, I tagged along with my mother to Tibet. Being from the Midwest in the United States, Tibet felt like several worlds away - both in distance and culture. As our plane flew closer, and I could see Lhasa below, I couldn't wait to get my feet on the ground; the U.S. was the last thing on my mind. I will tell you right up front, though, if we were on our own or were exploring this new country with a less friendly and knowledgeable guide, I am sure my perspective on this trip would have been much different.
So, there we were with Lobsang, a complete stranger living on the other side of the world, and we were about to spend a week with him. To sum it up, after spending that week with him and sharing some unforgettable experiences, it turns out that a good friend would be the more accurate description of him.
Lobsang made all the difference. Along with being as nice as can be and knowing every answer to my unstoppable questions, most importantly I felt safe and comfortable while being with Lobsang. It would be normal to feel uneasy and out of your element while traveling thousands of miles away from home, but not once did I feel vulnerable or at risk while being accompanied by Lobsang, I expect that you all can tell how much I valued this experience based on my writing above, but I cannot stress enough how large of an impact Lobsang had on making this an unforgettable time in my life. I am extremely grateful for Lobsang taking care of my mother and I and leaving us with memories that we will forever cherish. I only hope that those of you reading this will also be able to tell your friends and family one day about the night you slept under the stars (although it is as close as you are going to get to the stars on earth) in the presence of the world’s most magnificent setting.
It would take me a couple pages to tell all the stories, but visiting monasteries, shopping in markets, dining at Lobsang's great restaurants for the real Tibetan cuisine was incredible. Overall, just getting first hand exposure to the daily life of Tibetans was a highlight. One story I must share though, will definitely go down as one of the coolest things I will ever do in my life.
I enjoy nature and the outdoors, so making it to Mt. Everest was a must while we were abroad. It took some time to make it from Lhasa to the base of the mountain, but our journey in getting there was just as special as being at the mountain itself. We traveled through many small towns and rural areas on way, and this really gave me a feel for how rare and unique this experience was for an average westerner such as myself. Once we arrived at the base camp, though, the start of the neatest sleepover imaginable had begun.
Sitting in a warm “tent” (more like a cozy outdoor cabin including couches and a warm stove) I was beginning to get nervous that we would not be able to see the peak of Mt. Everest as it had been a cloudy night. After running in and out of the tent several times to see if the sky had cleared, I was finally able to make out a white peak seemingly right up next to the moon. As I stood outside of the tent with dusk quickly transitioning into the pitch black, the clouds slowly started to part. There it was - that view that I had traveled so far to see. Although it was still a bit obstructed with the clouds, this was a live shot that National Geographic couldn't even replicate. Everyone ran out of their tents. It didn't last long enough, but there was Everest right in front of me.
Darkness soon took over, and cold rain started to fall I couldn't believe it when Lobsang asked if we wanted to head to an indoor room at a nearby hotel and call it a night. After relaxing on a couch next to the stove in our “tent” and being covered by multiple heavy blankets, there was no way I was not going to spend the night right outside on Everest’s doorstep. As I lay warm and comfortable listening to the rain fall on top of our “tent," it was not long before I was deep asleep. The next thing I remember it was morning, and there was this nice Tibetan woman serving me a hot cup of tea. My only regret that night is that I did not spend more time listening to the rainfall and howling wind. I wanted to take in every minute possible, spending the night at Mt. Everest."
Kyle,
USA
" from the first day I met our guide, Lobsang, I began asking for a horse experience...... I have ridden for years and stepping into stirrups with Mt Everest in the background would be TOO good to be true.
Lobsang granted my wish. He found my cousin and myself two horses in a small town in western Tibet..... I can't say what breed they were but as close to "miniature" as I had seen overseas !! My feet hung to the ground.... as I sat on the hand carved wood saddle. We didn't care.... this was amazing.... And the horses were decorated with colorful ribbons, too.
We waved goodbye to our guide and off we went to tour the area..... We ran into a herd of sheep that needed to be driven home and we were more than happy to help with that job. It was all too incredible.... all with Mt. Everest as our back drop.
This was an experience that would not have happened on a large group tour..... but because we had a small group and an incredible guide, he made it happen for us !!!!
I will never forget that day.
I will never forget our trip to Tibet.
Thank you Lobsang"
Linda Ann,
USA
" I recently had one of those very rare and truly once in a lifetime experiences.
I traveled to China, Tibet and Nepal.
I truly believe our guide, Lobsang, is what made it a unforgettable experience.
He picked us up at the train in Lhasa and there our awesome experience began!!
His English is perfect!! His knowledge, history of all sites and his genuine caring to meet all of our needs was astounding!!
Lobsang is so genuine in every way and placed our safety at the upmost of needs.
Lobsang checked us into all of our hotels, knew of all great restaurants and shopping. He even went to the trouble of arranging horseback riding for my cousin and I, which was no easy task in the rural areas of China. It was part of our bucket list and there was not one thing on our bucket list that he did not tend to!!
He guided us through Gyantse, Tingri, Mt Everest base camp and Nyalan.
He is by far the one and only person that made our trip!! He has a great sense of humor and a personality that can light up a room.
I cannot say enough about this young man.
He is hardworking, diligent, responsible and a brilliant guide.
Trust me you will not be disappointed.
I have traveled the world and have had many guides.
Hands down, no one compares to Lobsang!!"